VIDEO: Senator Moody Kicks Off Inaugural Fentanyl Free America Summit in Florida with DEA Administrator Cole and Acting AG Blanche, Attracting Thousands from Across the Nation

ORLANDO, Fla.-Senator Ashley Moody today helped the Drug Enforcement Administration kick off the first-ever DEA Fentanyl Free America Summit in Orlando. Senator Moody joined DEA Administrator Terrence Cole, Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Sara Carter, and Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma to launch the national event. The leaders in the fight to end the opioid crisis held an in-depth panel discussion to discuss local, state and federal strategies to combat the illicit drug trade and reduce fentanyl overdose deaths.

"As Florida's Attorney General, I united local, state, and federal partners to confront the opioid crisis-and we delivered results. Florida led the nation in fentanyl interdiction efforts, while our overdose death rate declined faster than the national average. Now, as Florida's newest United States Senator, I am working to bring that proven model to the country. Today's inaugural summit reflects our shared commitment to strengthening coordination, sharing critical knowledge and resources, ending the fentanyl crisis nationwide, and saving lives," said Senator Ashley Moody.

Moody led efforts to stop the flow of illicit fentanyl into the state during her tenure as Attorney General and during that time, Florida led the nation in fentanyl seizures. By coordinating local, state, and federal partners, Florida reduced fentanyl-related deaths by 42% from the first half of 2024 to the first half of 2025-greater than the estimated nationwide decrease of 22% from 2024 to 2025. Now in the U.S. Senate, Moody continues this fight through the Senate Judiciary Committee and legislation to expand Florida's successful model nationwide.

BACKGROUND:

• To view Senator Moody's remarks, click here.
• As Florida's newest United States Senator, Senator Moody continues to combat the nation's fentanyl crisis by cosponsoring the HALT Fentanyl Act, Tyler's Law, and most recently the PRESS Act.
  • HALT Fentanyl Act would permanently classify fentanyl-related substances under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
  • Tyler's Law would require HHS to issue guidance on whether hospital emergency departments should implement fentanyl testing as a routine procedure for patients experiencing an overdose.
  • PRESS Act would criminalize the intentional importation of pill press machines and unlisted precursor chemicals with the intent to manufacture illicit drugs.
• As Florida Attorney General, Senator Moody chaired the Statewide Task Force on Opioid Drug Abuse and secured a massive multibillion-dollar settlement from opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies.
• While serving as Attorney General, Senator Moody also demanded Biden classify illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction and declare Mexican drug cartels smuggling fentanyl into the country as terrorist organizations. President Trump declared drug cartels terrorist organizations on Day One.
• As Attorney General, Senator Moody created Dose of Reality Florida and Fast Facts on Fentanyl to help Floridians learn about the dangers of illicit fentanyl and opioid use.
• The Helping Heroes program was also created to provide free naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal-medication, to law enforcement and first responds across the state.
• Under Senator Moody's leadership during her time as Attorney General, Florida's fentanyl deaths began decreasing in 2022 and have continued to decrease each year since. When nationwide fentanyl deaths dropped by 2% in 2023, Florida fentanyl deaths decreased by 11% during that same time period. And according to the newest data available from the FDLE Drugs Identified in Deceased Persons by Florida Medical Examiners report, Florida fentanyl deaths in the first six months of 2025 are down 42% compared to the first six months of 2024-outpacing the 2025 nationwide decrease of 22%.

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